Wire-handling tool



Sept. 3, 1929. J. Af. LINDSAY l1,726,746

WIRE 'HANDLING 'rooL Filed Oct. 26, 1925 FIE-J PIE- E- /N VEN T0124James A. Lindsay Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

Umren vSTATES JAMES A. LINDSAY, OF OAKLAQTD, CALIFORNIA.

WIRE-HANDLING TOOL.

Application filed October 26,1925.v Serial No. 64,734.

My invention relates to tools for handling wire and especially to a toolof particular usefulness to workers on concrete forms.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a tool forsecuring the' tie-wires in concrete forms with a minimum expenditure oftime and energy. j

Another object of the invention is the provision of a tool embodyingthose instrumentalities which a workman needs yin applying or removingthe tie-wires in a concrete form.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a tool fortightening and tying the tie-wires embodying means for clamping the toolin place on the wires duringmomentary absence of the workman.

' The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage someof which, with the foregoing, will be set yforth in the followingdescription of the preferred form of my invention Awhich is illustratedin the drawn ings accompanying and forming part of the specification. Itis understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the saiddrawings and description, as I may adopt variations of the preferredform within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my wire-handling tool.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the tool.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the tool, showing the same applied in thefirst step of tightening and twisting the wires for reenforcing aconcrete form.

In broad terms my invention comprises a tool having opposed jaws, andhandles for operating the jaws, with a fulcrum arranged adjacent the`jaws so that by placingthe fulcrum against a convenient supportingsurface, a very laro'e stress may be applied to the object held in tthejaws. Means are provided for clamping or locking the jaws upon theobject held therebetween, and cutting means are also provided adjacentthe jaws.

In terms of greater detail the tool of my invention comprises the arms 6and 7, each terminating in a head 8 The arms are crossed and pivotallyconnected by the pivot pin 9. In each head a tapered groove is arrangedin which is seated a complementary portion 11 of the jaw 12, which, asshown in Figure 2, extends a considerable distance on each side of thehead 8. The adjacent faces of the jaws are roughened to provide a bettergripping surface.

The taperof thegroove in which the aws seat, yis in the same directionin both heads, so that the jaws are always in line, and are notmisalined by tapping them to tighten them in their seatif that benecessary. Integrally formed on each of the jaws 12, is a cutting jaw13, and these aws are arranged 1n a plane perpendicular to the pivotalaxis of the pivot pin 9. f

Preferably integrally formed with the arm 7 is aleg 14, which projectsdownwardly and ends vbelow the jaws. The leg provides a fulcrum aboutwhich the tool as a whole may bemoved.

Pivotally connected on the end of the arm 6 opposite the head of thetool is a latch 16,

adapted to engage the arcuate seat 17, oppositely disposed on the arm 7.The arcuate seat is formed on an increasing radius about the anis of thepivotal mount-ing of the latch,

and is provided with notches 18 in which the latch optionally may becaught. Since the tool is primarily intended for handling wire, thislatch arrangement adapts the tool to be clamped upon wire of differentgauges.

In setting up forms for pouring concrete, it is common practice toretain the boards or planlring 21 against the spacing members 22, byvertical studs or members 23, oppositely disposed on the outside of. theplanling. Wireloops 24 are then passed about the stud and the free ends26 twisted to retain the planlring against the outward thrust of theconcrete 27. The wire handling tool of my invention is particularlyadapted for grasping the free ends of the wire as shown in plan inFigure 3. With the leg 14 positioned against the near stud, downwardpressure on the handles 6 and 7 pulls the wire tight against theopposite stud, and with the twisting of the ends 26 together, the wireis tightened about the studs and holds them securely in place.

Because of the wide jaws, the wire ends 26 may be readily graspedwithout a preliminary twisting together, and the fulcrum leg permits theproper tension to be applied to the wire during the operation, so thatonly a turn or two to secure the wire is necessary. Heretofore more orless twisting of the wire has been necessary to place it under theproper tension. With my tool, the wire may be pulled taut, after whichone or two turns is sufficient. A very large saving in time is thuselected, and a better piece of work done. Occasionally it is desirablefor the workman to leave a particular wire loop and go to the oppositeside of the form, or to the adjacent loop. The latch for clamping thetool upon the wire is then very convenient, as it permits the tool to beleft hanging on the wire, and ready for continued use. By the use ofthis tool, a workman is enabled to pass rapidly along, twisting andtightening the tie Wires with a minimum of time and effort.

In taking down the forms after the concrete has set, my wire-handlingtool will also be found exceedingly valuable. Where it is necessary topull a wire free, the fulcrum leg is useful, and because of the peculiarposition of the cutting jaws, the wire loops may be cut with the cuttingtool in a convenient and easy position.

I claim:

l. A tool comprising pivotally connected levers embodying opposedgripping jaws at one side of the pivot, and means constituting a fulcrumfor said tool rigid with one of said levers and attached thereto at aposition on the opposite side of the pivot, said fulcrum means extendingon each side of the plane which perpendicularly bisects the pivotalconnection.

2. A tool comprising pivotally connected levers embodying opposedgripping aws at one side of the pivot, and a fulcrum leg attached to oneoi' said levers at a position on the opposite side of the pivot, saidlegl having a bearing edge parallel to the pivotal axis and extendingpast the pivotal connection on each side of the plane whichperpcndicnlarly bisects the pivotal connection to give lateral stabilityto the tool.

3. A wire handling tool comprising pivotally connected levers embodyingopposed gripping jaws at one side oi the pivot. and a ulcrum leg on oneof said levers attached thereto at a position on the opposite side ofthe pivot, the gripping edges ot said jaws and the bearing edge ot saidfulcruni leg being parallel to the pivotal axis of the levers andextending laterally past the pivotal connection on each side of theplane which perpendicularly bisects the pivotal connection.

4. In a tool, a pair of levers comprising handle portions and jawportions, a pivotal connection for said levers positioned between saidhandle and jaw portions, and a 'tulcrum leg rigid and co-planar with oneof said levers and connected to the handle portion thereof at one sideof the pivotal connection, and extending obliquely past said pivotalconnection toward the jaws.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

JAMES A. LINDSAY.

